Start an Organization

Starting a Registered Student Organization (RSO) can be a rewarding experience. You can further develop your leadership skills while actively creating a community at Loyola.  

If you are interested in starting a new organization, we encourage you to browse our 180+ student organizations on LUCommunity first. If you do not find an organization that meets your interests, we are here to help you start a new organization and form a new community. 

To be eligible for consideration, new organization applications must be fully submitted via LUCommunity during the application cycle. The application will be open for one month in early Fall semester each year. Steps of application include registration form on LUCommunity and additional required trainings. If approved, student organizations can function and apply for funding as an RSO in the Spring semester. 

Please note that, as part of our commitment to equity and inclusion, RSOs must be accessible to all communities at Loyola University Chicago. The University reserves the right to limit the number of organizations with duplicate purposes. The Center for Student Engagement (CSE) is the only University entity that can officially approve a student organization. LUC has no affiliation with student organizations that are not registered or approved by CSE. Any RSOs that have not been registered/renewed through LUCommunity for two years are considered a new organization. 

New Organization Application Timeline

The application for the academic year is typically open for one month in the early Fall semester of each academic year. Campus Activities Network (CAN) will begin to review the applications once the application period is over. If considered ready, CAN will reach out with further instructions on the RSO Orientation and Hazing Prevention Training requirements. Once those are completed, you will be officially approved with the recognition of a Registered Student Organization (RSO), and you will be able to function and apply for funding as an RSO in the Spring semester. 

Follow Campus Activities Network (CAN) on Instagram to receive updates on when the New Organization Application is open, or email CAN at CAN@luc.edu directly. 

Registered Student Organizations Classifications

A Registered Student Organization is formally recognized by the University and originated out of student interest – they are not directly connected or supported by a University department. RSOs are formed by currently enrolled students sharing a common goal or interest and have properly completed the requirements on time and agree to adhere to guidelines established by the University. 

There are seven classifications of RSOs. While groups can have multiple classifications, they must identify with one main classification during the registration process. 

Recognition Process for Registered Student Organizations

In order for your application to be considered, please make sure you submit all the required application components. These include: 

• Organization Profile
  • Name of organization.
    • Please note that the title of Registered Student Organization MUST be less than 30 characters. If you wish to include LUC in your title, please put it at the end of the title.
  • Organization email address.
    • Organizations will not be given a LUC.edu email address.
  • Organization logo
• Roster 
  • RSOs are required to have at minimum six members at all times: Three core e-board positions, one full-time faculty/staff advisor, and two general members.
    • The three core e-board positions are: President, Treasurer, and CAN Representative.
    • Roles and responsibilities of these positions are something the e-board can determine, but we recommend the core positions to prioritize being team leaders, manage respective channel of communication and requests, participate in the required CAN workshops, and to act as a bridge between organization and CAN.
    • Leadership positions within an RSO should be taken by currently enrolled LUC undergraduate students.
    • Students are able to expand on the e-board positions depending on the needs of the organization.
    • Membership is required to be open to all LUC students.
  • We will ask for the name, email, and position of the student leaders and advisor on the application. 
  • All officers must be in good standing with the University to serve in a position. Conduct checks will be conducted for organizations who are approved.
• Constitution
  • RSOs are required to submit a constitution built from our template. You will be asked to upload your constitution as a Word document as part of your online application through LUCommunity.
• Organizational Information Questionnaire
  • The online application requires you to answer questions about your organization. Please be descriptive and thorough. Here are some of the questions so you can begin to prepare your responses:
    • In 3-5 sentences, please describe your organization's mission and objective. 
    • In 3-5 sentences, please describe how does your mission aligns with the mission of Loyola University Chicago here. 
    • Are there presently any organizations like the organization you are proposing? If so, please provide their name(s) and explain what makes your organization different from the current organizations?
    • In 3-5 sentences, please outline how your organization's executive leadership will be structured.  
    • In 3-5 sentences, please describe your organization's recruitment strategy to gain new members. 
    • In 3-5 sentences, please describe what programs and activities this proposed organization will create for the Loyola community. 
    • In 3-5 sentences, please describe how does your organization plans to transition from one year to the next? How would your exiting e-board plan to train the incoming e-board? 
• Policy Review
  • Please refer to the Student Organization Handbook for the privileges, expectations and requirements of an RSO.  

We may request a review panel after reviewing your submitted application. This meeting will give the review panel an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed organization, and for the applicants to ask questions of the panel. 

Once we consider your application as complete and are ready to move forward, the President and the Treasurer of the proposed organization are required to complete the Registered Student Organization (RSO) Orientation and the Hazing Prevention Webinar. Information will be shared in a notification email. 

If the application is denied, the application submitter will receive an email with reasoning. Below is a list of potential reasons for denial, however, please note this is not an exhaustive list: 

• Duplicative organization (A group may not duplicate the purpose and/or activities of an existing student organization. This provision safeguards limited resources and encourages students to work cooperatively when their interests and intentions are similar.)
• There are similar LUC departmental initiatives in the organization's mission and/or programming, at the discretion of CSE and campus partners
• Loyola University Chicago mission misalignment
• Organization is linked with a for-profit business or organization
• Incorrect constitution
• The leadership transition plan and/or proposed events are unsustainable for the organization's longevity
• There are additional needs tied to the organization's operation that Loyola University Chicago is unable to provide, at the discretion of CSE and the Division of Student Development 

Once you receive the email, you will be provided with instructions about the appeal process.